AURORA — I've been around long enough to know a truly special team when I see one.

For me, it goes back to Cherry Creek football (1982 and 1983), then the Bruins' football and baseball teams with Darnell McDonald (1994-97). Chauncey Billups-led George Washington basketball (1992-93) and Arvada West softball (1993-96) were special. Later, Andy Lowry's Columbine footballers (2002) and Dave Logan's Mullen team (2010). Also, ThunderRidge girls basketball (2003-05) headed by Abby Waner was a can't-miss, going-to-win-state program ... and it did. Easily.

I offer to you that we have another — Regis Jesuit girls basketball. The Class 5A Raiders are about a month from joining the exclusive club.

"This year, I have a team like no other of my teams," coach Carl Mattei said.

No brag; just fact. The Raiders, the defending state champions, have the skill, numbers and accomplishments to win it again.

Regis Jesuit is as high as No. 4 nationally and may finish with the highest ranking of any in-state team in state history. In 2005, Waner and ThunderRidge finished No. 8 in USA Today.

The Raiders (18-2 overall, 8-0 Continental League) are winning by an average score of 68-38. They are crushing an assortment of foes, including out-of-state teams.

"This is an interesting group, and it's angry," Mattei said. "They want to prove something, and I'm going to keep working them in practice. They have a chance."

The chance, that is, to go down in state annals as the best ever, up there with Machebeuf and Shelly Pennefather (1980-82). The Boulder Panthers (1989-90). The Britt Hartshorn-led Lamar Savages (1995-98). Highlands Ranch (2000-02), topped by Ann Strother and Liz Sherwood. Waner and ThunderRidge.

"It's hard to make comparisons, but I've coached the last 10 years and this is the best I've seen," Mattei said. "Is the state of girls basketball as good as it was 10 years ago, 15 or 20? That's argumentative.

Not all kids who play baseball are uniformed with fancy script across their chests, traveling to $1,000 instructional camps and drilled how to properly hit the cut-off man. Some kids just play to play.